Stand by for Action (1942)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Robert Z. Leonard

Writers:

Laurence Kirk (story)
Harvey S. Haislip (story) ...

Release Date:

14 February 1944 (Sweden)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Tennis | San Francisco California | Medal | Battleship | Sea

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Robert Taylor	...	Lieut. Gregg Masterman
Charles Laughton	...	Rear Admiral Stephen Thomas
Brian Donlevy	...	Lieut. Cmdr. Martin J. Roberts
Walter Brennan	...	Chief Yeoman Henry Johnson
Marilyn Maxwell	...	Audrey Carr
Henry O'Neill	...	Cmdr. Stone M.C
Marta Linden	...	Mary Collins
Chill Wills	...	Chief Boatswain's Mate Jenks
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Captain Ludlow
Richard Quine	...	Ensign Lindsay
William Tannen	...	Flag Lieut. Dudley
Douglas Fowley	...	Ensign Martin
Tim Ryan	...	Lieut. Tim Ryan
Dick Simmons	...	Lieut. (jg) Royce
Byron Foulger	...	Pharmacist's Mate 'Doc' Miller

Also Known As:

Cargo of Innocents (UK)

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #8801) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:S | Sweden:15

Company:

Loew's

Trivia:

The world premiere on 31 December 1942 took place simultaneously in 7 US cities: Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, Illinois; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California and San Francisco, California. Some earlier screenings may have taken place for naval officers on Treasure Island, California and Mare Island, California.

Soundtrack:

I'm a Sailor Man

Surprisingly entertaining WWII story with 1st rate performance by Charles Laughton

What at first blush appears to be a throw-away Navy propaganda film, released in Dec 1942, turns out to be a very easy-to-watch tale of war at sea with some moments of excellence, particularly the scenes with Charles Laughton as the crotchety Admiral Thomas.

The commissioning of the destroyer Warren includes a rousing speech by Laughton in which he inspires the new crew with a dramatic re-telling of the story of John Paul Jones giving his "I have not yet begun to fight" speech aboard the Bon Homme Richard. Off-beat plot twist includes the Warren finding a life raft filled with babies and pregnant women. The final act of the movie is an exciting depiction of the bravery of the Warren in single-handedly sinking a Japanese Battle Ship to save an entire convoy (naval convoys and battle are somewhat dated but still interesting and earned an Academy Award Nomination for special effects). Robert Taylor turns in a passable job as our hero, the spoiled LT. from Harvard. Brian Donlevy is also good as the seasoned CPT from whom Taylor learns much and later becomes his friend. Appearances by stalwart actors Chill Wills and Walter Brennan. Second half of the movie has lots of sea-battle action.